Milk thistle is a Mediterranean plant used to treat liver disorders, counter fungus and lead poisoning, lower cholesterol, and prevent cancer. The appropriate dose depends on the patient’s health, weight, age, and current medications. Milk thistle may have adverse effects if taken in excessive amounts and should be avoided by pregnant and nursing women and young children. Consultation with a physician or veterinarian is recommended. The effectiveness of milk thistle is still being studied.
Milk thistle, with the botanical name Silybum marianum, is a cutting-edge Mediterranean plant used by herbalists to treat liver disorders and to repair and regenerate liver cells in both humans and animals. Other benefits of milk thistle include countering fungus and lead poisoning, combating the toxic side effects of drugs, lowering cholesterol, and acting as a cancer preventative. Milk thistle extract silymarin, a flavonoid compound found in the milk thistle seed, is used in a concentrated amount to make milk thistle liquids, powders, capsules, and other medicines.
To determine the appropriate dose of milk thistle, it is necessary to take into account the health, body weight and age of the patient. A patient with a liver disorder and a higher weight, for example, will need a different dose of milk thistle than a person with a lower weight and no liver problems. It is also essential to consider any other medications the patient may be currently taking. Although herbs are generally considered safe, they can interact with other medications and cause unfortunate health reactions. Some of these include nausea, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, body aches, rashes, and breathing problems.
There may also be the possibility that silymarin, if taken in excessive amounts, could adversely affect the liver. Therefore, it is highly recommended to consult a qualified physician and determine if taking milk thistle seed extract is suitable for a particular health case and, if so, what the recommended dosage should be. Milk thistle tea, milk thistle detox, and other milk thistle products are generally not recommended for very young children, pregnant women, or nursing women.
Similarly, a veterinarian should be consulted before trying milk thistle for dogs. The correct dose of milk thistle can be effective in treating canine liver disorders and diseases related to liver problems, such as hepatitis, leptospirosis and pancreatitis. Milk thistle detox can provide relief for dogs that have been treated for heartworms, received chemotherapy for cancer, or have had parvovirus.
While herbalists have touted the benefits of milk thistle, milk thistle extracts are still being studied in the laboratory. The results so far have not been exactly conclusive, either due to the lack of comparative studies of milk thistle dosing under specific conditions, or due to conflicting findings in similar cases. Research continues and may better define the effectiveness of milk thistle in the future.
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